Christie to outline Sandy recovery in speech

TRENTON (AP) — Gov. Chris Christie is set to provide a roadmap for New Jersey’s recovery after Hurricane Sandy in his State of the State message.

The governor’s address on Tuesday will focus almost exclusively on how to rebuild after the state’s worst natural disaster. Christie says recovering from Sandy will supersede other priorities he had hoped to address in the final year of his first term.

The superstorm devastated the state with high winds and storm surges that caused $36.9 billion in damages and mitigation costs.

Sen. Stephen Sweeney, the Democratic leader of the Senate, says the storm has given Christie political cover for his failed economic policies that have resulted in high unemployment and housing foreclosures. Sweeney says Christie will benefit because of jobs created by the rebuilding effort.